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Lane Reduction on Beltway Outer Loop at Telegraph Road Interchange to Occur Early Next WeekWill Require Traffic to Merge from Four to Three Lanes Earlier

On behalf of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project, the City of Alexandria reminds residents that the Capital Beltway’s Outer Loop (I-95 North) will be reduced from four to three lanes immediately west of the Telegraph Road Interchange, as early as next Tuesday, January 29. Currently, the Outer Loop transitions from four to three lanes one mile farther east. Motorists will have three through-lanes from this point until crossing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to Maryland.

This lane reduction is planned for implementation over a two-day period: Monday, January 28 and Tuesday, January 29, but is weather dependent. Temperatures must be above freezing for the necessary lane striping to occur. Rainy conditions also would delay the work.

During implementation, motorists should expect the following lane and ramp closures:

Monday, January 28th: Crews will be striping lanes east of the Telegraph Road Interchange to Route 1.

Ramp closure from northbound Telegraph Road to the Outer Loop. Motorists will be detoured past the closed ramp, take the entrance ramp to the Inner Loop, immediately exit to southbound Telegraph Road, and take the first exit ramp to the Outer Loop.

Commuters are advised that this ramp will remain closed until the work is complete on Tuesday afternoon, January 29. Reopening the ramp before all paving and striping work is complete would result in an unsafe merge condition. This ramp closure is expected to increase traffic volume on the already-congested ramp from southbound Telegraph Road to
the Outer Loop.

Tuesday, January 29th: Crews will be striping lanes west of the Telegraph Road Interchange.

Ramp will remain closed from northbound Telegraph Road to the Outer Loop - motorists will continue following the signed detour.

The striping operation is expected to be completed before the afternoon rush hour on Tuesday, January 29, with all lanes and ramps reopened to traffic and the lane reduction in place.

The lane reduction is necessary for workers to continue building new Outer Loop Beltway lanes to match the wider Wilson Bridge. Ultimately, the new Beltway lanes will separate local and long-distance travelers, resulting in a much safer and smoother traffic flow. Motorists will continue to have three available lanes in this area until fall 2008, at which time all of the new Outer Loop Beltway lanes, east of Telegraph Road, are expected to open to traffic, providing four lanes and one merge lane.

This work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled if freezing temperatures or inclement weather occur. For more information, please visit wilsonbridge.com.